Prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among HIV positive patients on Antiretroviral therapy (ART) Case of Byumba District Hospital, 2018

Abstract

Hypertension is increasingly becoming a major public health challenge among HIV positive (HIV) people. Worldwide, 18.2 million people are on antiretroviral therapy and these antiretroviral therapies could be contributing to the increase of hypertension. The latest study done in Rwanda on hypertension in 2013 showed prevalence of 36.1% among civil servants and about 33% of them; were unaware that they live with hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with hypertension among HIV positive people on ART at Byumba District Hospital in 2018. Methods The study was a cross sectional one using primary data collected from HIV Patients on ART. The study was conducted on 406 people randomly selected among 669 HIV positive at Byumba District Hospital in 2018. Data was analyzed using SPSS V.16 and STATA. Descriptive statistics were generated, and then bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine the association between the factors associated with hypertension among HIV positive on ART. Odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were calculated and statistical significance set at P-value <0.05. Results The result of the study showed that HIV positive on ART and Hypertension is a public health issue in Gicumbi District with 22.4% as the prevalence (approximately 1 in 5 people). Being older than 40 years old (OR=4.617, p=0.001); Smoking any tobacco products (OR=12.967, p=0.001), both Diabetic and Hypertension history in family (OR=12.064, p=0.001 and OR=4.300, p=0.049) and abnormal BMI ≥ 25 or BMI ≤ 18.5 compared to normal BMI (OR=2.545, p=0.001), were statistically significant associated with hypertension among HIV positive on ART. Conclusion The factors associated with hypertension among HIV positive on ART at Byumba District Hospital remains a public health challenge. The routine screening and Information Education Communication (IEC) to all health facilities (particularly for HIV patients) on different factors associated with hypertension which will help prevent or delay the hypertension onset.